The weekend is over and I’m thinking about work tomorrow. I  worked for a lot of today and I’m feeling a little sorry for myself. I wish I could have more time for myself. It seems that no matter how hard I try there is never enough time in the day. So, I feel pretty fortunate to have this bit of time to go through my thoughts and consider where I am right now in the journey. I think I’m in a good place. It occurs to me that some of you may be reading this blog to get some tips on how you can start your own weight loss journey. Here are my top ten habits that have helped me to lose (so far) 79.2 pounds:

1. I am writing every day so I can reflect with complete honesty about my journey.
2. I am tracking all of the food I eat.
3. I am weighing and measuring all of my foods (even when I don’t want to).
4. I attend and participate in my weekly Weight Watchers meetings.
5. I am working out, I went to spin today. I’m going to yoga tomorrow.
6. I went grocery shopping and bought foods that are helpful like…
   1. spaghetti squash
   2. fresh berries
   3. asparagus
   4. avocado
   5. red, yellow, orange bell peppers
   6. lean meats (chicken, beef, pork)
7. I am drinking lots of water.
8. I am getting enough sleep
9. I have a good bedtime routine going:
   1. wash my face
   2. brush my teeth
   3. put on my night cream
10. I actively look for beauty in the world so that I can find it within myself.

Repetition is both a friend and enemy to this pursuit. A friend because through repetiion you build up strong habits that make the journey go much much more smoothly. Repetition builds greater confidence and skill and it gives you a sense of control. It is an enemy because it is so reliable that it can make the journey feel episodic. Sometimes it feels like a marathon that will never end. In truth, it won’t end because there is no arrival. Even when I make it to goal – it’s not like I’ll be cured and won’t have to think about it anymore. I’ll always have to think about it and that’s ok. The reason it’s ok is that I now view all of these efforts as acts of self-caring. I am taking care of me and that is a very good thing for me to do.

I hope you are taking care of yourself. I hope that you are experiencing success. I hope that you understand that no matter wherever you are on this journey you are doing something important for your health and wellbeing.  You matter, and you deserve to live the life you want in the body that you want. You are powerful and you can make that happen. Believe it.